Scots Asian deaths twice as likely to involve virus

Deaths among Scots from South Asian ethnic groups were almost twice as likely to involve Covid-19 than deaths of those of white ethnicity, new figures have revealed.

Figures released by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) reveal that, as of July 5, a total of 4,173 deaths related to the virus was recorded across Scotland, with 17 recorded between June 29 and July 5, a reduction of 18 from the previous week and 10th weekly reduction in a row.

For the first time analysis has been published that shows that, over the course of the pandemic to date, Covid-19 was a more common cause of death for people in the South Asian ethnic group, compared to people in the white ethnic group.

Speaking during her daily briefing yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the data conclude that deaths from the South Asian ethnic group were “almost twice as likely to involve Covid-19 as deaths in the white ethnic group”.

That conclusion has been reached after accounting for age, sex, deprivation and whether people live in urban or rural areas, Ms Sturgeon said.

She added: “We don’t have sufficient evidence to say that deaths among people in any other ethnic group were more likely to involve Covid-19.”

This will be considered by the Covid-19 and ethnicity expert reference group when it meets today and its views used to consider what further action is required, the first minister confirmed.

Pete Whitehouse, director of statistical services, said: “For the first time, we have produced additional analysis on deaths involving Covid-19 by ethnic group and the findings show that, over the course of the pandemic to date, Covid-19 was a more common cause of death for people in the South Asian ethnic group, compared to people in the white ethnic group.

“Every death from this virus is a tragedy and these statistics represent the heartbreak of many families across the country who have lost loved ones.

“Due to the low number of completed records for deaths involving Covid-19 in other minority ethnic groups, it is not possible to produce statistics for these groups.”